Day 3--Meetings Galore!

Today has been a day full of information, exploring, and learning the culture of Mexico.

After a necessary fuel stop at the breakfast buffet, our first meeting was at the International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. Dinah McDougall, a US commercial officer, gave a presentation titled Doing Business in Mexico. Mrs. McDougall started the talk with some Mexican statistics. I found it very intertesting that the population was so split up by the wealthy and poor--23% wealthy, 37% middle class, and 40% poor in 2009. Mrs. McDougall also said when the United States coughs, Mexico catches a cold. The student delegates and business representatives learned an immense amount about NAFTA--which is very important to both Mexico, United States, and Canada being the world´s largest trading area with 442.4 million people.

Our second meeting was conducted by Center Group and Ernesto Galindo. The Center Group´s goal is to shorten the gap between the final customer and the company through the elimination of unnecessary middlemen. I found Mr. Galindo´s presentation very fascinating because of the change in supply chain--with a switch from the traditional model to now network orchestration. Mr. Galindo also pointed out some cultural differences between Mexicans and Americans:

1. Mexicans never say no--they are very friendly and like to make other people happy by helping out in any way possible.
2. Mexicans tend to joke a lot but that does not mean Americans should joke about the Mexican culture--that is considered rude.
3. Gloating is NO good
4. Mexicans use a lower tone of voice and talk softly.
5. The business dress in Mexico is formal, however, after a first meeting, the next meeting Americans need to make sure they show empathy and dress similar to the Mexicans did on the first meeting.
6. Mexican place emphasis on titles--use traditional such as engineer, licensed professional, doctor
7. Mexicans do not have personal space like Americans--they like to hug, kiss, shake hands.
8. Be punctual, even if the other party is not. Confirm confirm confirm CONFIRM again!

We also explored Sante Fe mall, the largest mall in Mexico, and then toured the Thomasville Furniture Store. After that, the night involved the best porteguese food in the world--at the only porteguese restuarant in Mexico, called La Casa Portuguesa. YUM YUM!

I cannot wait for the next day!

See ya soon,

Madison